A significant portion of Pretoria, particularly the eastern suburbs, remains without power following a fire at the Waltloo substation on September 30, 2026. The situation is uncertain, with partial load shedding implemented while affected substations are being repaired, according to a statement by the Tshwane metro. The city's business unit for energy and electricity has introduced a three-hour rotational load shedding schedule for various neighborhoods.
The power outage occurred after an explosion at the Waltloo substation on Tuesday, affecting large areas of Pretoria. According to the city council, the 1A transformer at the Njala substation, which serves as the primary power supply point for substations in the east of the city, is also in a weak condition. Attempts to reactivate the unit have failed, forcing the metro to implement emergency measures.
To alleviate pressure on the Njala substation, technicians are installing conductive materials and interconnections to draw power from the Kwagga and Rietvlei substations. However, persistent rain in Pretoria is delaying the power transfer. Technicians are on standby, ready to proceed once the rain subsides. The affected areas include Wapadrand, Mooikloof, Mamelodi, Heatherley, Villieria, Highlands, Lynnwood, and Waltloo.
Power supply has been partially restored to areas such as Mamelodi, Willows, Wapadrand, Heatherley, Scientia, and certain parts of Waltloo. The city council has announced that a more comprehensive report on the power outages will be released on Wednesday evening. The partial load shedding schedule is expected to continue until the repairs are completed.
The Tshwane metro has assured residents that technicians and the original equipment manufacturer are working together to stabilize the power network. The city's energy and electricity business unit is working to restore power as soon as possible. Residents are advised to report any issues or concerns to the relevant authorities.
The cause of the substation fire and explosion is still under investigation. The incident has left thousands of residents without power, and the city's emergency services are working to mitigate the effects of the outage. The partial load shedding schedule is expected to be updated regularly to reflect the progress of the repairs.
The Tshwane metro has urged residents to exercise patience and understanding during this challenging time. The city is working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. Residents are advised to stay informed through official channels and to report any issues or concerns to the relevant authorities.
Key points
- The Tshwane metro has implemented partial load shedding to manage the power shortage.
- Technicians are working to repair the damaged substations and restore power to affected areas.
- The city is experiencing persistent rain, which is delaying the repair efforts.
